Richard Edwards

The Board discussed various administrative and operational matters including upcoming contract reviews, drainage issues, and updates to the building permit process. Financial approvals were granted for the warrant list and a sponsorship for a local event. The Board passed two ordinances regarding solicitation and speed limits, and approved a contract for animal control services. Additionally, the Board authorized employee gym memberships, approved road closures for requested events, and designated a supervisor to manage Public Works requests during staff absences.

The agenda for this meeting includes committee reports covering Finance, Public Safety, Water & Sewer, Economic Development/Human Resources, Parks & Recreation, and Streets, Alleys, Sidewalks & Storm Sewers. Key financial items for approval include monthly bills and bids for a snow plow, a mower, and repairs for the old park bathroom floor and door. Water bill concerns and a car wash request are on the Water & Sewer agenda. Additional business features a letter regarding Cherry Circle and executive sessions scheduled to discuss vacant property and personnel matters, specifically a pre-disciplinary hearing rebuttal and employee expectations/performance.

The Special Board meeting included an Executive Session to discuss Personnel Matters. Following the executive session, the regular board meeting resumed where a motion was carried, pursuant to the employee handbook updated in 2011, to issue a pre-disciplinary written notice to an employee, suspending them with pay for 30 calendar days pending the filing of discharge charges. The floor was opened for limited public comment on this matter, after which the special board meeting was adjourned.

Key discussions included public comments where residents expressed concerns regarding an incident involving the Village President, leading to calls for his resignation. The Finance Committee reviewed and approved monthly bills and introduced an ordinance for necessary appropriations for the 2026 calendar year. Significant expenditures approved included the purchase of a snow plow and a commercial mower, as well as estimates for floor remodeling of the park bathroom and replacement of two doors. The Public Safety Committee recommended presenting a Public Health and Safety ordinance and requested a plan regarding the yard waste site in coordination with the Fire Protection District. Furthermore, the Board amended Ordinance #2026-02 to increase the solicitation fee from $12 to $100 per application. In Additional Business, the Board addressed a grading concern regarding a newly built home, approved a new agenda format, discussed higher water bills, rejected an offer for vacant village property, accepted the terms of an employee resignation, and adopted several new policies into the Employee Handbook from the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management model.

The board meeting agenda includes reviews of the Clerk's report on office staffing, the Treasurer's financial report, and an update on the audit. The President's report covers the use of the village landscape waste site, accessibility compliance for digital content, professional services contracts, and property construction reviews. Committee reports address audit preparation services, scholarship support, codification proposals, public works staffing and grass disposal, and park drainage issues. Additionally, the departments will provide updates on police activities, landscape site status, right-of-way cleanup, and storm drainage plans.